Saskatchewan has second-lowest unemployment rate among provinces

Saskatchewan has an unemployment rate of 4 per cent, the second lowest among all provinces.

That’s according to job numbers released Friday by Statistics Canada, which show more than 24,400 full-time jobs were added to the provincial economy.

Nationally, employment was little changed in July, with Canada’s unemployment rate remaining at 4.9 per cent, matching the record low reported in June. While the public sector continues to lose jobs, Statistics Canada said growth in self-employed workers helped balance it out.

The average hourly wage in Canada was up in July, sitting at $31.14.

Jeremy Harrison, Saskatchewan’s minister of immigration and career training, said the province’s strong numbers show even more growth is on the horizon.

“Saskatchewan continues to be a national leader, having one of the lowest unemployment rates and some of the highest job growth in the country,” Harrison said in a statement.

“Low unemployment rates, combined with the strong job creation numbers we have seen over the last year, will lead to further economic growth and prosperity that will benefit all residents of our province.”